Wherever an army is routed, it is because of two or three effeminate weaklings.
هر کجا لشکر شکسته میشود ** او دو سه سست مخنث میبود
He (the poltroon) comes armed into the battle-line, like a man: they (the soldiers) put their trust in him, saying, “Here's the Comrade of the Cave.”2845
در صف آید با سلاح او مردوار ** دل بر او بنهند کاینک یار غار
He turns his face (in flight) when he sees wounds: his going breaks your back.
رو بگرداند چو بیند زخمها ** رفتن او بشکند پشت ترا
This (topic) is long and is expanding, and that which is aimed at is becoming hidden (from sight).
این دراز است و فراوان میشود ** و آن چه مقصود است پنهان میشود
How the Hypocrites cajoled the Prophet—God bless and save him!—that they might take him to the Mosque of Opposition.
فریفتن منافقان پیغامبر را تا به مسجد ضرارش برند
They chanted spells over (spoke deceitful words to) the Messenger of God: they were driving (hard) the steed of cunning and craft.
بر رسول حق فسونها خواندند ** رخش دستان و حیل میراندند
The kind and compassionate Messenger proffered (in reply) nothing but smiles, nothing but “Yes.”
آن رسول مهربان رحم کیش ** جز تبسم جز بلی ناورد پیش
He expressed (his) thanks to that company (deputation): he gladdened the envoys in (by) assent.2850
شکرهای آن جماعت یاد کرد ** در اجابت قاصدان را شاد کرد
Their deceit was apparent to him, point by point, in the same way as hairs in milk.
مینمود آن مکر ایشان پیش او ** یک به یک ز آن سان که اندر شیر مو
That courteous one feigned not to see the hairs: that polite one said “Bravo!” to the milk.
موی را نادیده میکرد آن لطیف ** شیر را شاباش میگفت آن ظریف
Myriad hairs of deceit and fraud (he beheld), and at that time he closed his eyes to it all.
صد هزاران موی مکر و دمدمه ** چشم خوابانید آن دم ز ان همه
That ocean of bounty spoke truly (when he said), “I am kinder unto you than you (yourselves are).
راست میفرمود آن بحر کرم ** بر شما من از شما مشفقترم
I am seated at the edge of a fire with an exceedingly unpleasant blaze and flame;2855
من نشسته بر کنار آتشی ** با فروغ و شعلهی بس ناخوشی
Ye are hastening towards it like moths, (while) both my hands have become moth-flaps (to beat you off).”
همچو پروانه شما آن سو دوان ** هر دو دست من شده پروانه ران
When the Prophet had resolved to set out (to the Mosque), the jealousy of God cried, “Do not hearken to the ghoul!
چون بر آن شد تا روان گردد رسول ** غیرت حق بانگ زد مشنو ز غول
For these wicked men have used deceit and cunning: what they have put forward is entirely the reverse (of the truth).
کاین خبیثان مکر و حیلت کردهاند ** جمله مقلوب است آنچ آوردهاند
Their intent was nothing but (to bring) black shame (upon thee): when have Christians or Jews sought the welfare of the (true) Religion?
قصد ایشان جز سیه رویی نبود ** خیر دین کی جست ترسا و جهود
They (the Hypocrites) have built a mosque upon Hell's bridge: they have played the game of trickery with God.2860
مسجدی بر جسر دوزخ ساختند ** با خدا نرد دغاها باختند
Their aim is to cause disunion amongst the Companions of the Prophet: how should any vain fool understand the grace of God?
قصدشان تفریق اصحاب رسول ** فضل حق را کی شناسد هر فضول
(They have built the Mosque) in order that they may fetch hither a Jew from Syria, with whose preaching the Jews are intoxicated.”
تا جهودی را ز شام اینجا کشند ** که به وعظ او جهودان سر خوشند
The Prophet said (to the Hypocrites), “Yes (I will do as ye wish), but (just now) we are intending to march and starting on a campaign.
گفت پیغمبر که آری لیک ما ** بر سر راهیم و بر عزم غزا
As soon as I return from this expedition, I will then set out to that Mosque at once.”
زین سفر چون باز گردم آن گهان ** سوی آن مسجد روان گردم روان
He (thus) put them off and hurried to the field of war: he played a game of trickery with the tricksters.2865
دفعشان کرد و به سوی غزو تاخت ** با دغایان از دغا نردی بباخت
When he came back from the campaign, they returned and laid hold of (demanded the fulfilment of) the past promise.
چون بیامد از غزا باز آمدند ** چنگ اندر وعدهی ماضی زدند
God said to him, “O Prophet, proclaim the excuse (pretence and dissimulation), and if war be (the consequence), say, ‘Let it be!’”
گفت حقش ای پیمبر فاش گو ** غدر را ور جنگ باشد باش گو
He (the Prophet) said, “Ye are exceedingly bad-hearted and hostile. Hush, lest I tell your secret thoughts.”
گفت ای قوم دغل خامش کنید ** تا نگویم رازهاتان تن زنید